What is hi-vis?
Hi-vis personal protective equipment (PPE) such as clothing, headwear and gloves help to protect workers by making them more visible during the day or night. Bright colours and stripes or reflective trim contrast against their environment, keeping them visible and safe.
When is hi-vis needed?
Hi-vis PPE is for workers who need to be visible or “conspicuous” in daytime, low-light or dark conditions. Workers are safest when they’re clearly seen by coworkers on foot, driving vehicles or operating equipment and machinery.
Hi-vis safety requirements vary across Canada. Consult your local safety association to learn the requirements for your province or territory.
What are the standards for hi-vis PPE?
The two main standards for hi-vis are CSA (Canadian Standards Association) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute).
CSA Z96-15, Canada’s standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel (HVSA), establishes baselines for how well hi-vis material reflects light (retroreflective performance), what background material colours should be used, and how much of the body should be covered with hi-vis material.
CSA Z96.1-08 is a guide for selection, care and use that helps determine types of garments needed to keep workers conspicuous at their work sites.
ANSI/ISEA 107-15 is the American standard for HVSA, similar to CSA Z96, and more commonly used on US work sites.
What is FR?
Flame-resistant or FR clothing is intended to reduce or eliminate injuries to those who work near thermal hazards. In the event of a flash fire or electric arc flash, FR fabric acts as a thermal barrier and, most important, doesn’t continue to burn after the thermal incident is over.
When is FR needed?
FR clothing is required any time there is a thermal hazard risk on site. Most provinces require protection appropriate to the hazard. The industry standards below may help you determine the appropriate protective garments for your workers.
What are the standards for FR PPE?
The main organizations for FR standards are CGSB (Canadian General Standards Board), NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and ASTM International.
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